File photo of Nandan Nilekani
Ananth Kumar was triumphant after his thumping win in Bangalore South over his closest challenger, the Congress's Nandan Nilekani. (
Narendra Modi Wins India. BJP and Allies to Cross 300 Seats.)
This will be Mr Kumar's sixth straight term as Member of Parliament from this urban seat.
Mr Kumar told NDTV that he was overwhelmed by the margin of his victory - which he also credited to
Narendra Modi. "After this sixer, I will have a chaiwallah celebration," he said.
Mr Nilekani put on a brave face in defeat. He told NDTV, "I have no regrets, I had great fun!"
Mr Kumar may have become a habit for south Bangalore voters, but he was also helped along by the Modi wave. A wave that saw the party redeem itself after a miserable third place performance in last year's assembly elections in the state.
We spoke to women waiting to meet Mr Kumar after his victory. One of them said, "We are proud of being South Bangaloreans and are happy with Ananth Kumar - but we love Modi!"
The result was certainly not good news for the Congress' chief minister for one year, Siddaramaiah, who had hoped his clean image would give much needed help to his party as it stared at humiliation elsewhere.
Mr Siddaramaiah told media in Bangalore, "This is not a referendum on my government. People wanted a change that is all."
Mr Kumar victory over Mr Nilekani in Bangalore South was perhaps symbolic of what was happening all over India on today.